We\u2019ve all heard how crucial it is to set intentions, goals and targets. Powerful goals electrify us. Clear intentions energize and pull us forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without a clearcut intention, we\u2019re reactive and don\u2019t get around to doing the important things when we want them done. Instead, we spend our time fighting random fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without clear intentions, anything might happen. And usually does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Literally, intentions are like the steering wheel on your car. Their whole purpose is to give you control over where you\u2019re going. But when setting intentions or goals, keep in mind that if you can\u2019t measure it, you can\u2019t manage it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, it\u2019s good to have intentions at more than one level. When we get up into the more conceptual intentions, such as \u201cI will contribute to the wellbeing of those around me,\u201d these become like a mission statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then, be sure you move on to decide specifically how you will go about implementing your mission in your daily life. Specifics are essential. How \u2014 specifically \u2014 will you put your mission into action today? What will you actually DO about your highest intentions? It\u2019s important to set intentions for yourself because this is where the rubber meets the road. Just say \u201cI\u2019m going to do this and this.\u201d It should be nothing big and overpowering. Just some stuff you\u2019re meaning to do or achieve short-term. Be sure to write them down on paper. When you list them out, you can clearly look over your results afterward and check yourself. At the end of today or this time next week, did you do what you said you\u2019d do? Expressed like that, it\u2019s clear that we\u2019re building a kind of internal integrity check within ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re first starting to build this new intention-setting skill (habit), it\u2019s important not to pile on too much. Sure, it\u2019s easy to get all excited about turning over a new leaf, but it\u2019s essential that you start where you are NOW, not where you think you SHOULD be. There are things that, from experience, you already know you can do. Set your intentions to do those things (plus perhaps a little bit more) and achieve them. Then, when you\u2019re comfortable doing what you say you\u2019ll do, then you can begin to stretch your intention muscles a little more. But as in any new regimin, begin easy. Begin with what you can actually do. And only after you get comfortable with the intention-setting process should you start going for real growth. Patience \u2013 taking small, measured steps \u2013 is more than a virtue here. It\u2019s the key to keeping yourself moving forward. (Notice I said patience, not procrastination.) Attempt too much too soon, and the end result will be another round of demotivation and discouragement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, go about this logically and gradually: keep your eye on the level you want to reach next year, and let today\u2019s effort take you 1\/365th of the way there. Do this, and you\u2019ll see real, measurable progress as well as achievements you\u2019ll truly be proud of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all pretty simple stuff, really. Just training yourself to keep your word to yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019ve all heard how crucial it is to set intentions, goals and targets. Powerful goals electrify us. Clear intentions energize and pull us forward. Without a clearcut intention, we\u2019re reactive and don\u2019t get around to doing the important things when we want them done. Instead, we spend our time fighting random fires. Without clear intentions, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":913,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[9,14,24,28],"yoast_head":"\n